Record daily high for COVID cases as troubling Cook County trend continues

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Cook County continues to climb, including a record daily case count on Saturday (Oct. 24) that brings the total count to 17.

County officials announced four new confirmed COVID-19 cases Saturday, including a woman in her 80s, a woman in her 40s, a man in his 40s and another man in his 80s.

“This is a single-day record for new cases in Cook County,” said Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager. “Rising cases locally, regionally, and statewide, combined with regional hospital systems routinely operating at or above capacity, should be a serious reminder to us all to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

The daily record for new cases in a single day in Cook County follows reports from Friday that staff at both Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health in Grand Marais tested positive for COVID-19.

Public health officials in Cook County remind people to stay home and seek a COVID-19 test if you feel even mildly sick with COVID symptoms, stay six feet apart from those outside of your household, wear a mask and to wash your hands regularly.